“Montepaschi” of Viktor Sanikidze started semifinal series of the Italian Championship with victory. “Montepaschi” visited the first-placed “Cimberio Varese” and beat it 72:80.

The Georgian forward was not in lineup. He earned 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in 17 minutes. Sanikidze scored both two 2-point, missed one free throw, had one turnover, received 2 personal fouls. 3 fouls were committed against him.

The fate of the game was decided in the last quarter which “Montepaschi” won 28:20. American Bobby Brown was a hero of the game. He earned 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 36 minutes.

The second semifinal game will take place in Varese on May 27. Then, the clubs will hold other two games in Siena.

“Galatasaray” of Manuchar Markoishvili had a successful start in semifinal of the Turkish Championship. “Galatasaray” defeated “Pinar Karsiyaka” 70:54.

The Georgian defender earned 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 29:22 minutes. Manuchar scored 4 from 7 2-point and 1 from 4 3-point. He had one turnover and received 3 personal fouls.

Only Jamont Gordon (16) and Carlos Arroyo (14) had better coefficients than Manuchar. The semifinal series is up to three wins. Istanbul will host the next game on May 27.

Play-off of the Greek Championship is underway without Giorgi Shermadini. “Olympiacos” defeated “Apollon Patras” 2:0 in ¼ final. The Georgian center did not play because of injury. In semifinal “Olympiacos” will play against “Rethymno Aegean” on May 29.

“Champville” of Nikoloz Tskitishvili won over “Al Riyadi” 85:81 in semifinal of the Lebanese Championship. Tskitishvili could not get in the list because of legionary limit. Jeremiah Massey of America played instead of him. The American earned 31 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Dato Manjavidze